Restore a Swiss Army knife

[gilbertingram]

Hello,
I have an old Swiss Army knife. My issue is that's a small patina on the plastic housing and blades and I'm not sure how to go about restoring it to its shiny red color it once had. Any suggestion is appreciated!

[C-WADE7]

I would start with some metal polish paste like Flitz or Mothers on a microfiber rag and hand polishing it(blade and plastic). Using a power buffer on the red scales , the will overheat and burn quickly. Remember just a dab of polish, too much is ineffective.

[gilbertingram]

I would start with some metal polish paste like Flitz or Mothers on a microfiber rag and hand polishing it(blade and plastic) slope. Using a power buffer on the red scales , the will overheat and burn quickly. Remember just a dab of polish, too much is ineffective.

Thanks for your suggestion

[TripleF]

I would start with some metal polish paste like Flitz or Mothers on a microfiber rag and hand polishing it(blade and plastic). Using a power buffer on the red scales , the will overheat and burn quickly. Remember just a dab of polish, too much is ineffective.

Ditto!! I use Flitz, have been for years!

[BIGHEAD]

If the plStic is faded sometimes just some good ol mineral oil will bring it back.

[Myron]

A little late to this thread, but it might be easier to just replace the scales. If it is a rare and valuable SAK I would do nothing. But if it's just your workhorse Spartan or Tinker or something, get some new scales for it. It's a very easy operation.

[edge213]

A little late to this thread, but it might be easier to just replace the scales. If it is a rare and valuable SAK I would do nothing. But if it's just your workhorse Spartan or Tinker or something, get some new scales for it. It's a very easy operation.

Would you please explain the operation of changing the scales on a SAK?

[Myron]

Sure! I start by soaking the SAK in hot water to soften the cellidor scales. When it's warm through, just use a thin blade, screwdriver, watch case opener, etc. (or even another SAK's pen blade) and work it down between the scale and liner. Work gently and take your time, wiggling the knife blade to gently pry the scale off the press-fit studs, which are little washer-like thingamajigs that fit around the pins and are then peened on at the factory. The newer the SAK, the easier this is. Old SAKs have solid scales and the cellidor may have become brittle.

Pop new scales of the correct size onto the now-naked SAK and snap them down onto the press-fit studs with your fingers. I like to use a little adhesive, but I steer clear of super glues because it dries brittle. Use something that stays flexible.

If you need to, clamp the SAK very lightly in a soft-jawed vise while the adhesive dries. Presto!

BTW, I've described the way a Victorinox is put together. Wengers are essentially the same, but the press fit studs are little bump-outs formed into the liner.

Hope this is helpful!

[edge213]

Sure! I start by soaking the SAK in hot water to soften the cellidor scales. When it's warm through, just use a thin blade, screwdriver, watch case opener, etc. (or even another SAK's pen blade) and work it down between the scale and liner. Work gently and take your time, wiggling the knife blade to gently pry the scale off the press-fit studs, which are little washer-like thingamajigs that fit around the pins and are then peened on at the factory. The newer the SAK, the easier this is. Old SAKs have solid scales and the cellidor may have become brittle.

Pop new scales of the correct size onto the now-naked SAK and snap them down onto the press-fit studs with your fingers. I like to use a little adhesive, but I steer clear of super glues because it dries brittle. Use something that stays flexible.

If you need to, clamp the SAK very lightly in a soft-jawed vise while the adhesive dries. Presto!

BTW, I've described the way a Victorinox is put together. Wengers are essentially the same, but the press fit studs are little bump-outs formed into the liner.

Hope this is helpful!

Thanks!